Five years it had been. Well, over five years. I saw Brad once before on
July 12th, 1997. 1/2 a decade later...I think it was about time to see
them again.

Dziama and I went together. Parked his car and headed to St. Andy's. I
figured there had to be some people there...it was like 1/4 after 5
after all. As we turn the corner onto Congress, I see the tour bus...and
I see no one. LOL. There ended up being one woman on the steps. I was
slightly cold at this time...as I had left my jacket in the car because
I didn't want it to smell icky from all the cigarette smoke. Evenutally,
Dziama had to go back to the car and get my jacket for me because I was
turning into a Jessicle.

When Stone first got out of the bus, I shit you not, he was wearing
shorts. It was freezing out...like 40 degrees (but it seemed mucho
colder). I just laughed to myself wishing I could scream, "What in the
HELL are you wearing?!?" But I contained myself. Took a lot of strength.

As we were waiting on the steps, Jeremy Toback came over and introduced
himself. He is such a nice fellow. We didn't even realize he was
Jeremy because well, we'd never seen Jeremy play with Brad, therefore,
had no idea to really even look out for him. Really polite guy,
everytime he passed us for the remainder of the night, he'd ask how we
were doing (of course he had stopped coming around once we were freezing
our asses off, which is probably a good thing because I probably would
have broken into tears demanding he take me with him inside).

Time passed. Slowly but surely. Eventually, there were about six of us
nutballs outside waiting. I don't even know why I was really
waiting...Pearl Jam tradition, I suppose. Maybe it's because I've never
seen Stone in a close-up setting (including backstage) and I just wanted
proof he isn't kept inside a box for storage in-between show times;-)

The thing that got me super agitated was that doors were going to open
at 8. Yeah, I saw that "8" was printed on my ticket...but I didn't even
flinch while seeing that: I figured 8 was showtime because that's
usually the time printed on the tickets. I called Erica down in Texas
because she attended the Austin show...I asked her what times doors were
and what time the show started. She told me 9 and 12. I was having a
heartattack...thinking about how tired I was going to be the next day
and how I shouldn't go to my classes. Doors ended up being at 8 and the
band came on around 10:15/10:30 (which is still hella hella hella LATE).

Because Dziama and I were 2nd in line, we had a nice pick of where to
go. I needed to urinate (the re-accuring Pearl Jam theme with myself,
eh?) so I figured I would just sit on the balcony so I didn't piss
anyone off (ala Neil Finn in Chicago) when I went back to my position
after the potty. But when I walked into the room, I saw that they had
black curtains up over the balcony...so it was closed. I haven't seen a
bunch of shows at St. Andrew's...but I've seen enough...and none of them
have ever had the balcony closed: good indication to how many people
were going to show up.

I ended up going to the front and grabbing a spot on the rail...just
right of dead center. Everyone on the rail ended up being people I had
just spent the last three hours talking to, so they said they'd watch my
spot as I went to the ladies' room. On my way back, I stopped at the
merch stand to be horribly disappointed (and so happy that I have grown
up when it comes to merchandise and I no longer feel I have to buy every
item): posters were $10! Can you believe that? I mean, they were cool
and stuff...but my college-going ass is way poor and I expected them to
be like $5...then again, I didn't expect them to be silk-screened. The
shirts...one t-shirt design (black or white) and three wife beaters.
Wife beaters?!? Pearl Jam hasn't even had wife beaters on the last three
tours...what's the deal on Brad having wife beaters? The hats were
cool...but again, I don't need anymore crap in my life and I can't
afford unwearable merchandise, so I passed with ease.

As I was going back to my spot, I spotted Jeremy. Waved to him and
Dziama, Jerm, and I ended up in conversation for a long while. I got
annoyed by some guy that was by us...but I won't get into it. It was
nice to have some good old raw-throat Pearl Jam conversations...with
some down-to-earth peeps. I better get my chatterbox ready for
Seattle...

Happy Chichester opened the show. I don't hate the guy, but he kinda
scared me. Especially his song about a "sexy lady." Ah well, his set
didn't drag on too long, so we were spared.

Right before Brad actually came on, I looked around to see how many
people were in the room and it was pathetic. There was literally no one
there. Maybe 200 people max. 1,000 capacity venue? We commented on how
they should have moved downstairs to the Shelter (300 capacity). People
were getting restless and pissed and just as someone shouted, "Fucking
start the show!" the band walked onstage.

Now, if you re-call, I've never been front row for a Pearl Jam show. I
have been front for Three Fish (but not in front of Jeffy Poo)...and
this was such a small venue...and I never have sat on the floor in front
of Stone...so you think that I would be freaking out. Nah. I so wasn't.
I guess Pearl Jam's become such a part of me it's like, "Oh, there's
Stone." I ended up paying more attention to Jeremy Toback and Shawn at
the show than Stoner Boner.

I had my digital camera with me...but due to the fact that they taped up
"NO CAMERAS" signs and I was at the rail, I decided not to pull it out.
I also decided that this night was special because no one was there. And
why was it special? Stone had been wearing a beanie all day...and his
hair...well, he had a slight case of hat-head. It was embarrassingly
cute and I kinda felt like, "Hey, this should be reserved for
Detroiter's only" ;-P If Stone has hat-head in your town...keep it to
yaself because sure, it's a quite special thing. He was wearing black
jeans and a brown sweater (that he later took off and I almost shouted,
"Yeah woo! Take it off Stone!" I don't know if that would have been
worse than me carrying in a sign that said, "Stone, you are my fashion
inspiration!"). Ah, the shoes. Cream colored, worn out loafers. Gotta
love his taste in footwear...

I, of course, do not really remember details in accordance of the
setlist. I know they played Lift. Everything they play live is
great...and it can never be captured on recordings. I guess it's the
whole ambiance of the band that you miss out on with the recordings.

Stone was in a great ass mood. I've never seen him smile so much. He
also was the band spokesman and he kinda had a lot to say. Maybe 1/8 shy
of being Ed on a typical night;-) When he fucked up a song (which I can
not remember, but it was either the 2nd or 3rd song), he just started
laughing and Jeremy started laughing. It was a grand old time.

Seeing 20th Century with Jeremy playing bass was outstanding. The
song is kickass as it is...I just don't recall it being so outstanding
in '97 without Jeremy. Lessee...they also played Mr. Pink and
If You Could Make It Good.

Eventually people started shouting requests (I held back from screaming
Buttercup)...and Stone was like, "We just started, we'll cover
them all tonight." The Day Brings and Secret Girl...nice.
Secret Girl always get people pumped, I think. Such a great
song...

Now I must admit, whatever song that was played before Secret
Girl (which was the last song of the main set)...I was sleeping. I
wasn't sleeping as an insult...I was resting my head on the rail and
closing my eyes and listening and I think they saw me doing
that...because it really seems like they cut the set short. Sure, there
was hardly anyone there...but if they came on an hour earlier, I think
people would have been peppier.

Thank goodness, however, they came back...and played...Buttercup.
Man I swear, I love that song so much. It's one of my all-time favorite
songs. They could have come on and played just that and I would have
left happy with my ticket purchase.

Ah yes, I must not forget, Stonebot played the drums. He drummed just
like anyone could imagine. He has got to have the best drummer face on
the planet.

I don't recall what they closed with but I thought they might come out
for a 2nd encore...but they did not. It was a shame, but to be honest, I
was kind of glad because I was so tired and it was to the point of
exhaustion that I was not enjoying myself.

As we were leaving, Jeremy was in the entry talking to some people. He
seriously is so rockass. What a pleasant man.

All in all, good time seeing Brad. Good time seeing Brad up close. Bad
time seeing Brad after freezing to the point of a Jessicle. Bad time
seeing Brad so late. But I'm happy I went and got to hear some groovy
tunes...and see Stone say some positive things about Detroit and St.
Andrew's Hall...you all know by now, that's the way to my heart:-)